Nazis in Vienna Bomb Jewish Students’ Home

February 11, 1934

Doubt as to the wisdom of convening the World Jewish Congress tentatively scheduled for this summer was expressed by Nahum Sokolow, president of the World Zionist Organization, in a message to Louis Lipsky, American member of the Zionist Executive, which will meet today at the Astor Hotel to formulate the stand the Zionist organization will take regarding the World Congress.

Mr. Sokolow expressed his views regarding the world congress in an article which appeared in a recent issue of Haolam, official organ of the Zionist. Executive, a summary of which Mr. Sokolow cabled to Mr. Lipsky, who had asked for a statement of the Zionist president’s position. This was the information made public by the Zionist Executive yesterday.

Mr. Sokolow not only doubts that it would be wise to call the World Congress, according to the Executive, but he also questions whether the popular elections by which delegates to the Congress are to be chosen will achieve the unity of the Jewish people, as is intended. On the contrary the Zionist veteran regards the fact that, at the Geneva Jewish Conference last summer where the World Jewish Congress was discussed, some question was raised as to whether or not Palestine should be included in the program of the World Congress, to be an indication of the disagreements and party battles which might take place in calling the parley. Mr. Sokolow further believes, the cabled message states, thatr the proposed popular elections may lead to difficulties because of the dissimilarity of Jewish problems in the various countries.

OUTLINES ALTERNATIVE

In the Haolam article in which he discussed the desirability of calling the Congress, Mr. Sokolow presents an altermative plan, according to which all shades of Jewry would be called upon to construct a Jewish body for Jewisah self-edefense. The execution of well-considered, carefully formulated plans of such a body, which would include all Jewish groups with the exception of the avowed assimilationists, would bring much good, Mr. Sokolow believes. The article definitely implies a negative stand towards the World Jewish Congress, which is planned as a permanent which is planned as a permanent institution, but favors the establishment of a central committee which would have the power to convene a Congress pf representatives when occasion demanded.

Morris Rothenberg, president of the Zionist Organization of America, in calling the meeting which starts at 10 o’clock this morning at the Astor, said:

“The decision in call a World Jewish Congress and to have popular election for delegates thereto has called forth considerable discussion. Since Zionists throughout the country will be called upon by the intiators of the proposed Congress to participate in the elections, it is essntial that the Zionist Organization of America clearly fornmulate its views on the subject.”